50 Toy Fads That Hooked Us

We all had those toys that, for whatever reason, we just had to have. Was it the coolness of the product, or the fact that every single other kid had one? Either way, those toys kept us — and our kids! — entertained … until everyone moved on to the next fad. Here are 50 of our favorites from throughout toy history. Were any ever on your wish list, or your kids’?

1. Zhu Zhu Pets

Formerly known as Furbies, these multi-hued, befuzzed, motorized robots had us at chirps like “Hee-haw!”

2. Silly Bandz

Multi-colored rubber bracelets shaped like … anything and everything? What’s not to like about entertaining your kids for only $2.99-ish?

3. Bakugan

Let’s get this straight — a zillion-dollar franchise built around small round plastic magnets that unfurl to reveal “monsters” on metal surfaces? Remind us to return as Japanese inventors in our next life!

4. Beanie Babies

Who didn’t collect these saggy cuties in the ’90s? And believe it or not, these PVC-pellet stuffed animal bean bags still fetch upward of $375 on eBay!

5. Skip-It

If you are even remotely coordinated, this rotatable, plastic ankle ball can give you one heck of a workout.

6. Furbies

This owly-looking Zhu Zhu predecessor forecasted more than $300M in sales back in 1999 and spoke “Furbish” in 40 — count ’em — 40 other languages!

7. Giga Pets / Tamagotchi

A handheld “egg” that eats, plays, “poops,” and even dies, providing kids with a digital spin on the circle of life.

8. Barbie

9. Pokemon

The endless array of cards, video games, and accessories can ignite a young kid’s imagination for hours upon hours. And seriously, how much fun would it be to sit around conjuring names like Pikachu, Koffing, and Weezing all day?

10. Colorforms

See a laminated board. Stick vinyl shapes, forms, and figures on that laminated board where you can make them do all kinds of things. So simple, yet oh-so entertaining.

11. Magic 8 Ball

An eight ball that tells your fortune through the arbitrary positioning of a floating octagon? Talk about a profound lesson in synchronicity!

12. Ouija Board

Without a scientific explanation for exactly how this portal channels messages from the great beyond, color us M..Y..S..T..I..F..I..E..D.

13. Easy-Bake Oven

Grooming would-be housewives since 1963. The notion of cooking actual food by light bulb remains every bit as fun and fascinating today.

14. Baby Alive Doll

Little girls just can’t resist mothering a baby doll that can drink, burp, giggle, coo, and pee just like they used to.

15. Pick-Up Sticks

This game may be just what it sounds — 50 multi-colored sticks that you have to pick up — but playing is a terrific way for kids to hone fine motor skills.

16. Lego

The classic way to build a whole new world in primary colors.

17. Tech Deck

An early lesson in cool, these cute mini-skateboard replicas are designed to encourage your mini-Tony Hawk to scale mini-skate ramps with their ever-so-dexterous mini-fingers.

18. Bok Choy Boys

Emblazoned with random elements and Chinese symbols to evoke the stuff of legends, these colorful, collectible vending machine martians are an el cheapo way to ignite the imagination.

19. Webkinz

They may look like your run-of-the-mill adorable stuffed animals, but the ability to “adopt” and nurture Webkinz online forges a sweet, special connection for your kid.

20. Cabbage Patch Dolls

Between the dolls and various spinoffs, the Cabbage Patch brand was the obsession of a generation, raking in around $2 billion in sales since the ’80s!

21. Bobblehead Dolls

Whether or not you’re prepared to acknowledge it, watching a large head float atop a really small body can be kind of funny.

22. Pet Rocks

Any marketer that convinces thousands to BUY ROCKS earns snaps for his or her sheer genius.

23. Lincoln Logs

Rugged, rustic, and charmingly old school, what school-age kid can resist the lure of designing their own little cabin retreat?

24. Baldeez

A bald figure that bounces six feet in the air on impact. Wheeeee!!!

25. Boinks

These mesh “finger traps,” available in a vast array of bright, primary colors, make for an inviting challenge to anyone in the single-digit age bracket.

26. Garbage Pail Kids

Can you believe these cheeky Gen-X trading cards illustrated with exploding-headed children are still hot stuff?

27. Atari 2600

One must pay reverence to the granddaddy of all electronic games, because without this bad boy, there would be no Mario Kart.

28. Bananagrams

A variation on the Scrabble concept, this spelling game is totally portable (always a plus for parents!) and can be enjoyed by 1-8 players.

29. Odball Stranz

This hollow ball made with faux-plastic string is easy to catch — the perfect esteem booster for younger ball players!

30. AirZooka

This harmless fun gun shoots “balls of air” up to 20 feet at your enemies.

31. Thomas the Tank Engine

The epic blue wooden choo-choo and his free-tooting comrades consume a considerable amount of space in every preschooler boy’s brain.

32. Nerf Anything

Foam balls that you can whip, hurl, and toss with all your might without costly residual damage? True love for both kids and parents!

33. Transformers

It’s a monster! No — it’s a monster truck! Wait — it’s a monster! Transformers retained their cool status for over 25 years while impressively making their mark on the film, TV, and publishing industries.

34. Marshmallow Shooters

An automated way to whip a marshmallow at your brother’s skull with all your might. Priceless!

50. Monchhichi

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